Pitt football suspends S Jordan Whitehead first three games of 2017

Pitt football announced disciplinary actions for four players Friday, including junior safety Jordan Whitehead.

The junior will be suspended, along with senior linebacker Quintin Wirginis, for the first three games of the season because they violated team policy.

Furthermore, senior defensive end Rori Blair was dismissed from the program entirely.

“Our program’s foundation will always be built on discipline and personal responsibility,” Narduzzi said according to pittsburghpanthers.com. “These are highly disappointing situations but I am hopeful that each of these young men will be better, stronger and wiser after taking accountability for their actions.

“In addition to sitting out multiple games, Quintin and Jordan will continue to be held accountable to internal standards of conduct.”

This suspension means both key defenders (and Blair) will miss the Penn State matchup in Week 2. Whitehead posted 65 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss and intercepted one pass last season. He finished fourth among ACC safeties in the conference preseason first-team voting.

Blair has been dismissed from the team for “conduct detrimental to the program.” A Pittsburgh native having attended Upper St. Clair High School, Blair returned to play football after suffering a stroke in 2013. He had 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last year.

The Panthers also disciplined junior offensive tackle Alex Bookser on Friday. He will sit out the season opener for “his involvement in an offseason legal situation involving a motor vehicle.”

Pitt opens up the season against Youngstown State on Sept. 2. Next, the Panthers visit the Nittany Lions and then host the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their next two games. Whitehead and Wirginis will be able to return for the conference opener at Georgia Tech in Week 4.